Wire stamping tool



March 31, 1970 E. I TERNOVITS $503,328

WIRE STAMP ING TOOL 'Filed Feb. 14, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN Vii/(T02 frrzesi Z Fermi/1Z5 March 31, 1970 Filed Feb. 14, 1968 E. l. TERNOVITS WIRE STAMPING TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l Ihl III]. I

E., l. TERNOVITS WIRE STAMPING TOOL March 31, 1970 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 14, 1968 H fl U 3M 9 Z52 4? r I New m is. r2 wv fi fl United States Patent US. Cl. 101-10 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A Wire stamping device of the type having a plurality of heads carrying identifying characters and an anvil for supporting a wire whereby the wire can be pressed into engagement with the heads. A marking tape is interposed between the wire and heads to leave an impression on the surface of the wire. The heads are each provided with an extending handle for relative adjustment to provide different combinations of characters. The heads are located in a main body portion which includes a separately mounted support member carrying the tape in normally spaced apart relationship with respect to the heads. An arm is provided for carrying the anvil, and movement of the arm first forces the support member and associated tape into marking position and thereafter the wire is marked.

This invention relates to a device for stamping or marking wire, particularly electrical wire of the type having a rubber, lacquer or synthetic outer surface.

It is well known in the electrical industry that many constructions require the provision of large numbers of wires. Such wires are utilized for joining various electrical components, and for purposes of compactness and efficiency, it has been found desirable to run the wires together in an installation. In many instances, dozens of wires are attached together in an installation even though the wires are connected to a wide variety of different components.

The problem of identifying different wires in an installation has been a long standing one. In many instances, the improper operation of an installation can be attributed to a particular component and, therefore, it is highly desirable to provide identification of electrical wires so that all leads to a particular component can be checked. The desirability of identifying wires is particularly apparent where groups of Wires are combined together in a construction. However, identifying means for electrical wires are desirable even where large numbers of wires are not involved.

The prior art has usually resorted to the provision of different colors for wires so that the differences between various wires will be apparent to the naked eye. Since electrical wires must be insulated from each other, par ticularly where large groups are held together in an installation, the art has resorted to the use of insulating coverings of different colors and patterns. This technique of the art has not been entirely satisfactory, since there are a limited number of readily distinguishable colors and combinations available. Furthermore, differences in colors do not by themselves provide any information with regard to the particular component with which a wire may be associated. Thus, one interested in studying an installation may be able to determine that given wires in the installation are connected to different components; however, the color alone will usually not give any information as to the particular application with which a wire is involved. Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide means for not only distinguishing Wires from each other but also for providing other identifying material whereby information regarding the use of the wire will be available.

Constructions such as those illustrated in Ternovits et al Patent No. 3,196,780 and Rothfuchs Patents No. 3,- 071,067 have been devised which provide for the marking or stamping of identifying symbols on wire. Generally speaking, these constructions include rotatable heads carrying a plurality of identifying characters and heating means for softening the wire insulation. In the case of Rothfuchs, a marking tape is interposed between the wire andcharacters during the marking operation to provide more readily identifiable marks.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide an improved device for the marking or stamping of wires.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a wire stamping device which is characterized by a great deal of versatility from the standpoint of the number of marking combinations which can be achieved, and which is characterized by ease of operation from the standpoint of setting the device, loading and pressing of thewire against the marking heads, and loading and operation of the marking tape.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, a specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the wire stamping device with the anvil in the open position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the wire stamping device with the anvil in the marking position;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the head of the stamping device as it appears from the opposite side;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View of the Wire stamping device;

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the stamping device;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the marking device taken about the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken about the line 7-7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a leaf spring associated with the tape indexing means utilized in the construction;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of the wire stamping device with the anvil in the marking position;

FIGURE 10 is a vertical sectional view taken about the line 10-10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the anvil, wire and marking characters in the marking position;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the indexing means including the ratchet and pawl mechanisms; and,

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the ratchet and pawl mechanisms from the opposite side.

The wire stamping device of this invention includes a plurality of rotatable heads mounted on a common axis with each head carrying a plurality of identifying symbols. An anvil is provided for supporting a wire, and a marking tape is interposed between the heads and anvil whereby the wire can be pressed against the heads with the tape therebetween to provide a marking operation. A heating element is associated with the heads to accomplish softening of the wire insulation to thereby facilitate marking.

One improved aspect of the instant invention relates to the use of handle for adjusting the relative positions of handles for adjusting the relative positions of the marking heads whereby a plurality of different combinations of identifying symbols can be provided on wires. The handles are conveniently located, and means are provided for positively centering the heads to achieve the proper positioning of the marking characters relative to the wire.

3 A second important improvement involves the use of a support member which is carried by the main body portion of the device. The tape is mounted on the support member and extends along its length to the marking position and beyond to tape indexing means. An arm carries the anvil, and this arm operates to move the support member and associated tape into position for marking. Other improvements in the design will become apparent when considering the specific structure illustrated in the drawings.

The marking device 10 comprises an outer housing 12 forming a main body portion. An arm 14 is pivotally connected to the housing 12 by means of the pin 16, and this arm carries an anvil 18. A groove 20 defined by the anvil is provided for receiving a wire which is to be marked by the device.

A heating element 22 is secured to the side of the housing 12. Current is fed to the heating element through wire 24, and a knob 26 is provided for adjusting the element. The core 28 of the heater extends through the device, and marking heads 30 are mounted for rotation around a sheath 32 which is fitted around the core 28.

Each of the marking heads 30 defines a plurality of characters 33 which are formed in outwardly extending portions 34 defined on the periphery of the heads 30. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the characters comprise the numerals through 9, and two sets of such characters are provided on each head. One set is formed in larger type than the other so that versatility is provided depending upon the size of the tape to be marked.

As be t shown in FIGURE 10, each of the marking heads 30 includes a hub 36. The hubs 36 each define a threaded bore which receives the threaded shafts 38 of handles 40. Slots 42 are defined by cover member 44 of the housing 12 to provide freedom of movement for the handles 40. It will be appreciated that movement of the handles relative to each other will provide different combinations of characters in marking position.

The handles are limited to slightly less than 180 of travel, and the characters 33 are formed on the periphery of the heads to the same degree. The characters are, of course, on the opposite sides of the heads; however, numbers are displayed on the cover 44 which correspond with the characters 33 so that the user of the device can tell which characters are in marking position by simply aligning the handles adjacent corresponding numbers marked on the cover 44.

Each of the heads 30 also defines teeth 46, and a spring mounted pawl 48 defining detent 50 is situated for engagement with these teeth. The detent 50 will center itself between adjacent teeth 46 so that the characters 33 will always be properly aligned in the marking position.

The housing 12 comprises a channel-shaped member defining downwardly extending side walls and an open end 52. A support member 54 is located within the channel and is pivotally mounted on the pin 16. The support member also comprises a channel-shaped member including a large open area 56 defined by the end wall 58 and side walls 60. A roll of tape 62 is adapted to be inserted within this space 56, and the tape extends along channel section 64, past the marking position 66 and outwardly through end opening 68. Pins 56 extend between the walls defining the channel section 64 for purposes of confining the tape during use.

The arm 14 in the closed position illustrated in FIG- URE 9 serves to confine the roll 62 within the space 56. A latch comprising an arm 70 and spring 72 holds the arm 14 in position relative to the support 54. A projection 74 carried by the support receives the end of the latch 70 when in the locked position shown in FIGURE (4, and the spring 72 normally urges the latch into this locked position.

An extension 76 is defined by the latch, and this extension extends beyond the edge of the arm 14 so that it can be easily manipulated and pivoted away from the arm, as illustrated in phantom in FIGURE 9, in opposition to the spring 72 for disengaging latch 70 from projection 74. The arm 14 can then be pulled away from the support member 54 whereby the roll 62 will be ejected. As illustrated in phantom in FIGURE 9, outward ivoting of arm 17 will pivot spring 72 outwardly through its connection with latch arm 70 and extension 76. This action in turn pivots spring extension 78 outwardly to the phantom position illustrated so that it bears against and ejects the roll spring 72. It will be appreciated that this provides a simplified means for loading and unloading a roll of tape.

The support 54 is normally maintained in the position shown in FIGURE 4 through the operation of spring 80. One end of the spring fits around a projection 82 defined by the housing 12, and the other end around a similar projection 84 carried on the arm. To reach the marking position shown in FIGURE 9, the support is moved in opposition to the spring through the action of the arm 14. The shoulders of the anvil 18 engage the edges of a V-shaped cut-out 86 in the support 54 in order to drive the support to the marking position of FIGURE 9. A similar V-shaped cut-out 88 is defined by the housing 12; however, this cut-out is dimensioned so that it will not interfere with the movement of the anvil 18.

Beyond the cut-out portion 86, the support 54 carries a knurled wheel 90 mounted on shaft 92. The tape 94 from the roll 62 passes between the upper surface of this wheel and the surface of a leaf spring 96. This leaf spring has a pair of ears 98 and 100 (FIGURE 8), and these ears fit into bores 102 and 104 defined by the support 54. The leaf spring is resiliently held in position by the wheel 90, and the spring operates to constantly press the tape 94 into engagement with the wheel.

A ratchet wheel 106 is also mounted on the shaft 92 whereby movement of the ratchet wheel will result in corresponding movement of the wheel 90. A locking pawl 108 is pivotally connected to the support 54 at 110. The detent 112 of this pawl is urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 106 by the spring 114. In the position shown in FIGURES 12 and 13, the pawl 108 holds the ratchet wheel 106 against clockwise rotation.

A driving pawl 116 is attached to an inner wall of the housing 12' and is pivoted about the pin 118. A spring 120 normally urges the driving pawl into engagement with the ratchet teeth.

In operation, the arm 14 moves the support 54 upwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 12. Since the pawl 108 is mounted on the suport 54, this movement does not effect the relationship of this pawl with respect to the ratchet 106. The ratchet 106 is, however, moved relative to the pawl 116, and this causes the detent 122 of the pawl 116 to engage a tooth at a different position on the periphery of the ratchet. When the pressure on the arm 14 is released, the pawl 116 will continue to engage this tooth thereby causing the ratchet 106 to rotate counterclockwise (FIGURE 12) during the return movement.

This will result in indexing of the tape 94 whereby a fresh tape area will be available for the next marking movement. The indexing movement occurs on the return stroke of the arm 14 so that there is no possiblity of the tape moving during the marking operation. This could occur if the tape were indexed in response to the initial stroke of the arm 14.

As best shown in FIGURE 11, the characters 33 formed on the marking heads preferably define a concavity corresponding generally to the shape of a wire of the type being marked. Similarly, the groove 20 in the anvil 18 is concave whereby the Wire will be, steadily positioned during the marking movement.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above entitled construction which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a wire stamping device of the type described comprising the combination of: a housing, rotatable heads mounted on the housing and having a plurality of identifying characters formed thereon, an anvil pivotally mounted on the housing for supporting a wire, a tape support member pivotally mounted at its one end on the housing, the member having a tape roll magazine adjacent said one end and tape guide means extending from the magazine to the other end of the member between said anvil and heads, a roll of marking tape carried in the magazine and having a free end extending on said tape guide means between said heads and said anvil, means for heating the heads, said housing, support member, and anvil being movable relative to each other whereby said heads can be forced against said wire with the tape therebetween to provide identifying marks on the wire, means urging the support member and tape from the heads for tape indexing, means urging the anvil from the heads and support member for wire insertion or advance, and means for adjusting the relative positions of said rotatable heads to provide different combinations of said identifying marks in the marking positions.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said heads comprise discs mounted on a common axis, teeth defined by each of said heads and a spring mounted detent associated with each head and urged into engagement with the heads between said teeth, said detents operating to center the heads when the heads have been moved into marking position. 3. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said characters are defined on one portion of the periphery of said discs with said teeth being defined on an opposed portion of the periphery.

4. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said discs includes hub portions, said hubs engaging adjacent discs to provide spacing therebetween, and further including a plurality of handles, one end of each of said handles being tied to one of said hubs with the shafts of the handles extending between adjacent discs to provide exposed finger engaging portions of the handles.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a main body portion for carrying such heads, and an arm portion carrying said anvil, said arm portion being pivotally connected to said main body portion and support member, and hand gripping areas defined by the main body portion and by the arm, said gripping area being located between the position of said heads and anvil and the pivotal connection of said arm and main body portion.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said roll of tape is located within said support member magazine adjacent said pivotal connection, and wherein said tape free end extends forwardly along the guide means toward the position of said anvil and heads, and including means to index the tape free end past said position responsive to movement of the support member from the heads whereby fresh portions of tape are serially provided for marking purposes.

7. In a wire stamping device of the type comprising rotatable heads having a plurality of identifying characters formed thereon, an anvil for supporting a wire, means for heating the heads, said heads and anvil being movable relative to each other whereby said heads can be forced against said wire with marking tape disposed therebetween to leave identifying marks on the wire, the improvement wherein said device includes a main body portion carrying said heads, an arm carrying said anvil pivotally connected to the main body portion, a support member mounted within said main body portion and pivotally connected thereto, said support member having a tape roll magazine adjacent said pivotal connection and extending to a position adjacent said heads and defining an opening for exposing said heads when said anvil is moved into position for marking purposes the magazine adapted to releasably receive the tape roll, a roll of marking tape in the magazine, and having a free tape end extending to a marking position over the opening, means urging said support member and tape end away from said heads for tape indexing, and means urging said anvil from its marking position to a first position for wire insertion or advance, and means to release the anvil from its first position for pivotal movement thereof to a position opening the magazine to permit tape removal or insertion thereinto.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7 including indexing mean for moving said tape whereby fresh portions of tape will be provided for marking purposes for each marking operation, the indexing means comprising an indexing wheel mounted on the support in engagement with the tape free end, and means to rotate the wheel for said tape movement in response to movement of said support member from the heads.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8 wherein said movement of the support from the heads operates responsive to release of the force from said arm moving the heads and anvil together.

10. A device in accordance with claim 7 including releasable means limiting outward pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said support member, and wherein release of said means and outward movement of the arm exposes the magazine for loading of said tape.

11. A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein a roll of said tape is located within said magazine adjacent said pivotal connection, and wherein said tape free end extends forwardly from the roll toward the position of said anvil and heads, and including indexing means on the support gripping said tape free end during a marking operation and indexing the free end responsive to outward pivoting of the support whereby fresh portions of tape are serially provided for marking purposes.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said indexing means comprises a knurled wheel mounted on the support adjacent the tape free end, ratchet means on the support to rotate the wheel, and a driving pawl mounted on the body portion for engagement with said ratchet means, said driving pawl operating with the ratchet to move said wheel responsive to pivoting of said arm, and including a leaf spring engaging said tape on the side opposite said wheel, said leaf spring operating to continuously press said tape into engagement with said wheel.

13. A device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said characters comprise numerals, and wherein at least two sets of numerals of different type sizes are provided on said heads.

14. A device in accordance with claim 13 wherein said characters define concavities generally corresponding to the outer surface of wire to be marked with the characters.

15. In a wire stamping device of the type described comprising the combination of: rotatable heads having a plurality of identifying characters formed thereon, an anvil for supporting a wire, tape support means movable between the heads and anvil, a marking tape mounted on the support means and having a free end extending between said heads and said anvil, means for heating the heads, said heads, support means, and anvil being movable relative to each other whereby said heads can be forced against said wire with the tape therebetween to provide identifying marks on the wire, means urging the support means and tape from the heads for tape indexing, means urging the anvil from the heads and support means for wire insertion or advance, means for adjusting the relative positions of said rotatable heads to provide different combinations of said identifying marks in the marking positions, said device including a main body portion for carrying said heads and an arm portion carrying said anvile, said arm portion being pivotally connected to said main body portion and support means, and hand gripping areas defined by the main body portion and by the arm, said gripping area being located between the position of said heads and anvil and the pivotal connection of said arm and main body portion, said roll of tape being located within said support means adjacent said pivotal connection wherein said tape free end extends forwardly toward the position of said anvil and heads, means to index the tape free end past said position responsive to movement of the support means from the heads whereby fresh portions of tape are continuously provided for marking purposes, and including means for ejecting said roll of tape from Within said support means, said ejecting means including a projection extending into registry with said roll and mounted for movement with said arm outwardly from the indexing position of the arm.

16. In a wire stamping device of the type comprising rotatable heads having a plurality of identifying characters formed thereon, an anvil for supporting a wire, means for heating the heads, said heads and anvil being movable relative to each other whereby said heads can be forced against said wire with marking tape disposed therebetween to leave identifying marks on the wire, the improvement wherein said device includes a main body portion carrying said heads, an arm carrying said anvil pivotally connected to the main body portion, a support member mounted within said main body portion and pivotally connected thereto, said support member extending to a position adjacent said heads and defining an opening for exposing said heads when said anvil is moved into position for marking purposes, a roll of marking tape mounted in said main body portion adjacent to said pivotal connection and .having a free tape end extending over the opening, means urging said support member and tape end away from said heads for tape indexing, means urging saidanvil from its marking position to a wire insertion position and to an open position for tape removal, and means releasably holding tne arm to the support in said insertion position, the means urging the anvil comprising a spring mounted at said pivotal connection and having first and second legs, said first leg being secured to the arm and said second leg adjacent to the tape and in pivotal registry therewith whereby said release of the anvil and movement of the arm to said open position ejects the tape from the main body portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,909,141 5/1933 Woodward et al 10195 1,979,640 11/1934 Roberts 10121 2,078,094 4/ 1937 Delbaum 101-42 X 2,720,163 10/1955 Shukal 10142 2,757,605 8/ 1956- Dumey.

2,853,001 9/1958 Jagger 10195 3,071,067 1/1963 Rothfuchs 101-21 3,196,780 7/1965 Ternovits et al. 101-10 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

